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LUBEC, Maine — The Board of Selectmen met last week to review several town maintenance issues, including repairs to the red house owned by the town of Lubec, a vehicle crash in North Lubec and completion of work on the pier downtown.
The board also heard a report from Code Enforcement Officer Alex Henry about derelict buildings in town.
Lubec manages a fuel fund to help local seniors heat their homes, and Town Administrator Suzette Francis reported that the fund is running out of money, with a remaining balance of just $4,450, which she described as “the lowest I’ve ever seen it.”
The heating support program, which is funded entirely by donations, is available to local seniors each year from September through the end of May. The fund’s resources do not go as far as they once did, partly because of consolidations among local fuel suppliers.
Where independent, local producers were willing to waive out‑of‑rotation delivery fees and make smaller deliveries to people in need, the larger companies that now dominate the market do not always waive the fees and they require a minimum delivery of 100 gallons.
The fund made 52 deliveries last year to local seniors. At current average prices of $3.51 per gallon for heating oil in Down East Maine, $3.15 for propane and $4.44 for kerosene, the fund’s remaining balance is enough for about 12 deliveries of propane, wood or gas before it runs out.
The town received a large, anonymous donation to the fuel fund a few years ago, but demand is up and donations have been inconsistent.
Francis also provided an update on the fallout from a crash in North Lubec that occurred late last year.
On Dec. 17, a driver hit a utility pole in North Lubec, cutting power to a septic pumping station that serves homes in the area, destroying a control box and damaging a fire hydrant. The driver filed a police report, but has been unwilling to submit an insurance claim to cover the property damage.
The town has paid about $1,200 for repairs, Francis said, and the Lubec Water District has spent between $6,000 and $8,000, according to Selectman Mark Kelley.
If the driver continues to stonewall, the town’s only recourse is to take the case to small claims court.
During discussion of warrants, board Chair Carol Dennison said repairs to the commercial pier have been completed, and she praised the quality of the work.
The repairs were made to fender pilings and ladders damaged in a pair of severe storms two years ago that left much of the pier unusable.
The cost of repairs is to be reimbursed by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a resiliency grant from the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
Dennison also reported that half of the roof on the red house at 123 Main St. is relatively new, so only the side visible from the road needs repair. Selectman Daniel Daley said the foundation has cracks, but there is no standing water in the basement. Dennison said she has already received one estimate for the roof work.
After a discussion, the board proposed putting the complete roof repair out to bid, with the goal of having the work finished in June.
The board also discussed the eventual sale of the red house, speculating that the property’s value might increase once the surrounding parking lots are built and the Safe Harbor project is complete.
Dennison suggested the board could choose to sell the property to developers whose plans align with the town’s needs, “hopefully a year‑round restaurant.”
Henry reported on derelict buildings in town. Board members responded by adding a few properties they believe are worth investigating, including the town’s oldest structure — the green house on Pleasant Street, which is deteriorating — and the Peacock Building on Water Street.
Henry also said he is pursuing state permits for the proposed repairs to the Stockford Park shoreline.
In other updates, Public Works Director Dickie Huntley reminded residents of the winter parking ban, and Kelley thanked those who helped shovel town sidewalks after last month’s major storm.
